Final List: BJMB Top 15 Prospects, as of November 2016

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Think where I had trouble was or went wrong is I value pitchers too much or high! I looked at who might reach the Majors first more likely and who might be blocked along the way to play this year next year and so on and so on! Lol

 

If this was done after all the roster spots were filled or contacts handed out my list may have changed a bit also.

I find it hard to get excited by the raw raw rookies and had to force myself to include them on my list... I look at them more as to how where and when they might help the our team not how they may be used or there value in trades!

 

Always Leary of those below A ball as the bust factor is high below it, Vancouver is touch and go at best too!

 

Reese got mad props or higher I think due to that as if we don't sign a catcher he just might get the nod !

 

And I'll admit I might be The Biggest Jon " Dirty " Harris fan already ! Lol

 

I found it harder then I thought I would but fun, Thanks

 

Sorry BJMB I will try harder if allowed next year! Lol

[King]

Here is another Maese article.

 

http://jaysprospects.com/2016/08/22/justin-maese-lansing/

 

One of the fastest movers in the Blue Jays minor league system is that of right-handed pitcher Justin Maese. Jumping levels quickly due to the command he has of all four of his pitches has really helped the 19-year old prospect reach the low-A Lansing Lugnuts in just one year removed from high school.

 

Finding success with his 4-seam fastball, 2-seam fastball, slider, and changeup hasn’t been an issue in 2016. Currently maintaining a 1.08 WHIP and a 5.63 SO/W ratio in his 66 innings pitched between Vancouver and Lansing; shows that the up-and-coming star is on the right path with his career.

 

Known primarily for his sinking fastball. There’s no question why Maese’s K/9 ratio is currently at 6.1 as he likes to pitch to contact for quick outs instead of chasing strikeouts.

 

Explaining how he uses his sinker to his advantage when facing opposing hitters, Maese admits it depends on the situation on whether or not he’ll show his 2-seamer that usually sits in the 91 to 93 miles per hour range.

 

“I throw my fastball in certain situations when I feel I need it,” stated Maese. “I throw a sinker, so I generate a lot of groundballs. I use it in certain situations when I feel I need an out.”

 

When his sinker is clicking he can easily mix in his slider to give the batter something totally different to think about. Currently throwing the slider around 89; Maese is happy with the feel for this pitch right now, as he believes it has improved leaps and bounds since high school.

 

“My slider has come a long way in pro ball,” explained Maese. “I didn’t throw a true slider in high school, it was more of a slurve. But now I have complete confidence in the pitch every outing.”

 

But the greatest thing about Maese’s game is the differential between his 4-seam fastball and his changeup. Usually sitting at a 10 mile per hour difference between the two has really helped the prospect keep hitters off-balance all season.

 

This skill has really impressed Lansing Lugnuts pitching coach Jeff Ware who feels Maese will find a lot of success on the mound if he can continue to maintain his arm speed when throwing these two pitches.

 

“Justin has a really good differential between his fastball and changeup, especially if can maintain the same arm speed with both pitches,” stated Ware. “He’s got nice bottom to both and that’ll help him get batters out moving forward.”

 

Making the jump to professional baseball last summer; Maese discusses the differences from playing high school baseball in Texas to pitching in the Gulf Coast League in 2015.

 

“The jump from high school baseball to the GCL was tough at first as it’s not the same level of competition. But once you’re focused on repeating everything it gets a lot easier,” explained Maese. “One of the aspects that makes the process better is the amazing coaches you get to work with in the Blue Jays organization. It doesn’t take long to realize they know what they’re talking about and if you take advantage of the resources they offer you the process goes well.”

 

Taking advantage of great coaching is second nature for Maese who’s been blessed to have his Dad as his coach up through middle school. While he had to focus on the game without his father’s guidance in high school, the prospect feels it was the fundamentals he learned growing up from his Dad that got him to where he is today.

 

“My Dad was my coach up through middle school and he was harder on me than people would expect,” said Maese. “Once I got to high school I pretty much coached myself in pitching. But having my Dad teach me everything growing up played a big part in getting me here.”

 

With the conclusion of the season fast approaching, Maese has only one focus for the remainder of his year in Lansing.

 

“I hope to just continue to learn more about myself in Lansing,” stated Maese. “In baseball you never stop learning, so I hope to learn from the coaches and figure out what I can do to get better in my career.”

 

If Maese continues to keep this mindset moving forward his stock will only rise in the upcoming seasons. Currently ranked the 11th best prospect in the Blue Jays organization by MLB.com, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see the young Texan jump into the top-10 in the near future.

 

But if Justin Maese continues to stay humble and take in as much coaching as possible success in the majors won’t be far away no matter where he’s ranked.

[Grant77]

I can't believe he throws that slider at 89 and still gets so much movement. That's a potential weapon if he can command it down in the zone. Thanks for the video.

[King]

I can't believe he throws that slider at 89 and still gets so much movement. That's a potential weapon if he can command it down in the zone. Thanks for the video.

Yes sir. That game he pitched was a real eye opener for me. There's a lot to like about Maese.

[King]

Think where I had trouble was or went wrong is I value pitchers too much or high! I looked at who might reach the Majors first more likely and who might be blocked along the way to play this year next year and so on and so on! Lol

 

If this was done after all the roster spots were filled or contacts handed out my list may have changed a bit also.

I find it hard to get excited by the raw raw rookies and had to force myself to include them on my list... I look at them more as to how where and when they might help the our team not how they may be used or there value in trades!

 

Always Leary of those below A ball as the bust factor is high below it, Vancouver is touch and go at best too!

 

Reese got mad props or higher I think due to that as if we don't sign a catcher he just might get the nod !

 

And I'll admit I might be The Biggest Jon " Dirty " Harris fan already ! Lol

 

I found it harder then I thought I would but fun, Thanks

 

Sorry BJMB I will try harder if allowed next year! Lol

 

Don't worry about it mate. A lot of your ideas about where to rank different prospects were done in the right mindset. Jon "DIRTY" Harris is your guy now.

[KingKat]

Somehow I missed that Maese was drafted in 2015. I thought he had come up as an IFA.

[Jimcanuck]

King has taken the lead for poster of the year. Despite the Todd pseudonym.

[Grant77]

Man I'm a real person.

Stop bugging king.

After what he just did leave him

alone.

 

You guys did a nice job.

[RealAccountant]

So who do we trade from that list to acquire Chris Sale?

[Dr. Dinger]

So who do we trade from that list to acquire Chris Sale?

 

Any trade for Sale probably starts with Stroman.

[RealAccountant]

Any trade for Sale probably starts with Stroman.

 

Oh Shux

 

Sale can't measure Stroman heart

[Pendleton]

I'm glad to see a couple people didn't have Alford

in the top five.

 

You moved Alford up 95 spots on your list. The only games he's played during that time are in the AFL and you said those games don't matter, what gives?

[Ehjays]

Great job by all! Well put together by King.

 

It was a great read, with a few laughs, I love reading up on our prospects

[Rusty_Savage]

Don't have any time on my hands at all at the moment, so I never got around to doing this. But great job King!

[Krylian]

You moved Alford up 95 spots on your list. The only games he's played during that time are in the AFL and you said those games don't matter, what gives?

 

Are you actually expecting a logical explanation?

[Angrioter]

Any trade for Sale probably starts with Stroman.

 

Nah. Sanchez is the new sheriff

[Brownie19]

Any trade for Sale probably starts with Stroman.

 

Sale and Eaton for Sanchez, Alford and Urena. Make it happen.

[Dr. Dinger]

Sale and Eaton for Sanchez, Alford and Urena. Make it happen.

 

Sanchez actually has a better career ERA than Sale. Not that we all care a ton about ERA, but it's worth pointing out. They had very similar FIPs this year. I can't see Shatkins entertaining any scenario that involves trading Sanchez.

[TheHurl]

Sanchez actually has a better career ERA than Sale. Not that we all care a ton about ERA, but it's worth pointing out. They had very similar FIPs this year. I can't see Shatkins entertaining any scenario that involves trading Sanchez.

 

4 years of Sanchez at league min + 3 arbitrations vs. 3 years of Sale @ $39M. Who you got? (assuming health). It's probably one of the less cut and dry ones out there.

[RealAccountant]

Anyways Starters dont win championships....Relievers do.

[TwistedLogic]

[Grant77]

4 years of Sanchez at league min + 3 arbitrations vs. 3 years of Sale @ $39M. Who you got? (assuming health). It's probably one of the less cut and dry ones out there.

 

Probably Sanchez for that 4th year. Very close.

[Brownie19]

Probably Sanchez for that 4th year. Very close.

 

I was going to argue that Sanchez's mechanics suggest he's going to blow out his arm...however, considering Sale is the poster child for pitchers who you think will blow out their arms, but haven't - I'm just going stick that thought in my back pocket.

[Ehjays]

4 years of Sanchez at league min + 3 arbitrations vs. 3 years of Sale @ $39M. Who you got? (assuming health). It's probably one of the less cut and dry ones out there.

 

 

I know I'm gonna get murdered but I would keep Sanchez. Now Stroman on the otherhand...

[jays_fever]

I know I'm gonna get murdered but I would keep Sanchez. Now Stroman on the otherhand...

 

lol why would you be murdered for that?

[spats]

Glad to see Vlady top this list. I have spent a lot of time in Dunedin watching these young guys develop going back to the Travis Snider days. As I mentioned to King, most of these young guys in spring training and extended spring tend to blend in together. In all those years, only 2 players really stood out from the rest...one was Vlady and the other was Thor with Sanchez and Hoffman a notch below.

[Jimcanuck]

Glad to see Vlady top this list. I have spent a lot of time in Dunedin watching these young guys develop going back to the Travis Snider days. As I mentioned to King, most of these young guys in spring training and extended spring tend to blend in together. In all those years, only 2 players really stood out from the rest...one was Vlady and the other was Thor with Sanchez and Hoffman a notch below.

 

It is verboten to mention Thor in these parts.

[Atothe]

Good job King. Great list

[TheHurl]

Patrick Murphy's Mom just sent me a thank you message for us including her son on our list. She should thank BBBB, in whatever ditch he's in.

[AdamGreenwood]

I crunched some numbers on Milb pitchers to target, and Maese came out #1 on my list in all of Milb.